First Time Buyers Shopping Guide
It’s no secret that buying house is a long and sometimes stressful process. Although there are various things out of your control, there are other ways you can help prepare yourself for the big move!
Depending on your situation, you might be able to use the time you are waiting for the keys to your new home to purchase some basic essential things that you will thank yourself for in the near future and that will help you settle in to your new home.
This is particularly applicable for first time buyers, although it’s unlikely you’ll be able to purchase large items of furniture well in advance, you could chip away at a long list of smaller items which you will need as soon as you move in.
It’s a good idea to begin making a list of things you could buy and store somewhere, perhaps in your parents/guardians house, before moving in. It will also help spread the cost over time rather than moving in and having to buy everything all at once.
Here are just a few ideas for different rooms in the house that you could buy for.
Kitchen
The kitchen is probably the one room you can kit out the most without requiring too much space to store it all in.
It might be worth putting a few of these things on your Christmas or birthday list or waiting for certain times of the year for example Black Friday or Christmas deals.
Here is a list of things you could purchase and thank yourself for later:
- Kettle and toaster
- Crockery/cutlery sets/glasses –enough to ensure you can eat when you move in
- Pots and pans – the small sets are really handy to get you on your feet
- Tea towels
- Table mats
- Cleaning products – to give the place a quick spruce up when you move in
- Cooking utensils e.g. knives, chopping boards, cheese grater, potato peeler etc. Anything small that can be stored in-between moving in
- Batteries for a smoke alarm
- A bin and bin liners
Bathroom
The bathroom is another good one to get ahead of the game with, including things like:
- Toilet rolls
- Towels
- Tooth paste holders
- Bath or shower mat
- Soap dispensers/soap bars
Living room
Unless you have a lot of storage space to be able to buy sofas, coffee tables or TV stands in advance, it might be tricky to get started on the living room.
You could still make a start and do some window shopping or have a look at what you like and what you can afford before actually moving in, that way you already know what to shop for.
You could start with smaller items such as:
- Lamps
- A rug
- A coffee table or stacking tables if you have the space to store these before hand
- Small ornaments
- Wall art
- Curtains
For some First Time Buyers, buying things beforehand might not be an option due to a lack of storage – but don’t be disheartened. You can still be organised by putting money aside each month to spread out the cost over time and have a detailed wish list ready to go for when you eventually have all the space you need.
If you are in a position to store some items until you officially move in, it might be worth giving it some thought. Even if it’s just a few things which allow you to eat and drink after a long day of moving and unpacking!